Tim Terrific!
By RICK LAMBERT/AP
Updated 11:12 PM PST, Sat, Jul 4, 2009
Tim Lincecum is making a serious case to be the unquestioned choice as the N.L starting pitcher. The reigning National League Cy Young award winner pitched seven scoreless innings against Houston to push his impressinve run to 23 consecutive innings. Lincecum gave up just three hits and struck out nine.
San Francisco had 12 hits and nine runs a day after producing a season high in runs and pounding 15 hits in a 13-0 victory Friday night.
Pablo Sandoval went 2-for-2 and raised his average to .333 on the season. He also drove in his 44th run of the season. Sandoval bruised his right knee sliding wildly into home in the fifth but it wasn't considered serious.
Lincecum, expected to be named an All-Star on Sunday for the second straight year, outpitched former Giant Russ Ortiz (3-4). He has gone 18 consecutive innings without allowing a baserunner past second.
Ortiz struck out a season-high seven but lost his second straight decision and saw his winless stretch reach six starts.
The right-hander was a fourth-round draft pick by the Giants in 1995 and went 69-47 during his time with San Francisco. This marked his eighth appearance against his former team -- and he is 0-4.
The Giants go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1:00pm. Randy Johnson takes the hill against Astros ace Roy Oswalt.
First Published: Jul 4, 2009 10:32 PM PST
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